Fermentation basket

ABSTRACT

A fermentation basket for suspension in a fermentation tank during wine fermentation which includes a perforated bottom side, at least one perforated vertical side, an open top side having an upper edge with a circumference or perimeter, cable or chain connecting elements disposed around said upper edge for connecting a hoist cable or chain to hoist said filtration basket, and hanging structure disposed around said upper edge for suspending said filtration basket in the interior of a fermentation tank such that said bottom side is spaced apart from the bottom of the fermentation tank.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/476,394, filed Mar. 24, 2017.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OR PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates most generally to automatic fermentation tanks,more particularly for making wine, and still more particularly to astainless steel fermentation tank in which tank entry and must/pumiceremoval is obviated with a removable novel strainer basket.

Background Discussion

In the most general terms, the process of wine making can be reduced tofive broad processes or production steps: (1) grape harvesting, (2)crushing/destemming and pressing, (3) fermentation, (4) clarification,and (5) aging and bottling. Sub-steps comprising variations on theseprincipal steps provide the opportunity for highly customized andpersonalized production.

After harvest and sorting, grapes are destemmed and crushed. Free runjuice may be pulled off for special production or combined with the mustfor fermentation. In white wine production stems, seed, skins and othersolids are quickly separated from the juice to prevent color and tanninsfrom being imparted to the wine. By contrast, juice is left in contactwith the skins in red wine production to impart color and tannins to thejuice. The “young wine” is a suspension known as the must.

The next phase in production is fermentation. It may be initiatednaturally over the course of the first day after crush, using airbornewild yeast, or it may be initiated by inoculating the must with culturedyeasts. Fermentation is monitored and discontinued when the sugars areconverted into alcohol.

Clarification comes next. This entails removing solids from the must.Thus, dead yeast cells, tannins, and various proteins are removed, andthe wine is then “racked” (i.e., transferred) into a vessel where it isfined and/or filtered. These processes “clarify” the wine. Afterclarification, the wine is again racked into a storage tank where it canbe aged until bottling.

Stainless steel tanks have been in use in wine production since the1960's. Jacketed vessels enable the winemaker to control fermentationtemperatures, minimize oxidation and bacterial contamination, all whilebeing chemically neutral and remaining entirely unreactive with acidwine juice, thus imparting no flavor characteristics to the wine.

While most stainless steel tanks have closed tops with an access door(typically a manway for larger tanks), some may be left uncovered orselectively covered with a removable and/or a hinged lid. Nearly allstainless tanks employed in wine production include a pitched floorsloping to a drain, along with various fittings and ports for removingor introducing liquids or other substances used in the productionprocess. Access through the top of a fermentation tank is essential inred wine production for either punching down the cap or pumping over thecap using a hose coupled to a lower outlet to a pump-over cart with asump and filter. The same outlet may be used for racking. These tankstructures and features facilitate handling of the liquid throughout theproduction process.

To date the process of racking invariably involved the transfer of winefrom fermentation vessels to secondary fermentation or storage vessels.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention include a stainless steelfermentation basket sized for placement in a stainless steelfermentation tank modified to suspend the fermentation basket within thetank interior. The fermentation basket has a geometry and an externaldimension to provide a separation space between the basket wall and thetank wall using an upper circumferential or perimeter rim (an angle)which is disposed over a basket welded to the tank interior.

The fermentation basket further includes lifting tabs provided withconnecting structure for coupling to cables, lines or hooks on anoverhead crane, lift, or hoist, or a forklift, and it is perforatedabout its floor (bottom) and side, such that when it is removed from thetank, solids larger than the perforation holes remain in the basketwhile liquids remain in the tank. This obviates the need for tank entry,water usage and general manpower, with considerable savings in time,cost, and space resulting.

In another embodiment, the fermentation basket includes an upperperforated stainless steel section and a lower slotted cylindricalsection having a slotted floor. The upper and lower sections are joinedusing an annular channel and toggle clamp assembly for moving the basketby forklift. The upper section includes lifting elements for lifting thebasket into and out from a tank or vessel using an overhead gantry craneor a forklift fitted with lifting beams or hooks. The upper basketfurther includes brackets which are placed on brackets on the upperinterior wall of the upper section. When suspended in a fermentationtank, the floor of the fermentation basket is slightly elevated abovethe floor of the tank.

In its embodiments, the fermentation basket of the present inventionsimplifies and improves tank fermentation processes. Spoilage from theinadvertent introduction of undesirable microbes can be reduced byeffectively eliminating contaminated or dirty must lines, dirty pumps,and by eliminating the use of free run to sluice and the need tointroduce and push water through lines from post-fermentationpomace-to-press operations.

The present invention also increases wine production safety by reducingor even eliminating the need to dig out tanks, the need to sluice tanks,and the need to install and remove oak stave devices and staves.

The foregoing advantages include various efficiencies and costreductions. Less obviously, the need for corresponding labor is alsoreduced. Not only is there no need to set up and break down pump-overhoses and pumps, but no labor is required for digging out tanks, forsluicing, for installing and removing oak adjunct.

Cost savings are also realized because of the elimination or reductionof several parts and equipment, including access doors on tanks, thermalwells, and D-rings for oak adjunct. Reduced pump motor use also reduceselectric power consumption, and chemical costs are reduced becausesanitation is not required for must lines, must pumps, transfer hoses,and pumps. Finally, water use is reduced because there is no need topush pomace to the press post-fermentation or to move wine for ullagemanagement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper front left perspective view of a fermentation tankwith a fermentation basket disposed inside, the cylindrical wall of thetank removed to reveal the fermentation basket;

FIG. 2 is an upper right front perspective view of the fermentationbasket disposed in the tank;

FIG. 3A is a front view in elevation thereof

FIG. 3B is a partial side right view in elevation showing thefermentation basket disposed in the tank with a portion of the tankremoved to show fermentation basket features;

FIG. 3C is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 4 is an upper front right perspective view of the fermentationbasket;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional side view in elevation showing theupper portion of the filtration tank and fermentation basket, showinghow the welded upper angle of the fermentation basket rests on aninterior welded angle on the tank interior;

FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of a second embodiment of thefermentation basket of the present invention, shown being lowered bylift for installation and suspension in a fermentation tank;

FIG. 8A is a front view in elevation thereof;

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional side view in elevation thereof;

FIG. 8C is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 9 is an upper front perspective view showing the second embodimentof the fermentation basket removed from the fermentation tank andstanding alone;

FIG. 10A is a front view in elevation thereof;

FIG. 10B is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 10C is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 11 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing the basket supportand hanging bracket by which the fermentation basket is suspended withina fermentation tank;

FIG. 12 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing the U-channel andtoggle clamp assembly by which the upper section and lower section ofthe fermentation basket are coupled;

FIG. 13 is a detailed upper perspective view thereof;

FIG. 14 is an upper front perspective view of the storage pan onto whichthe fermentation basket may be disposed when removed from a fermentationtank;

FIG. 15 is an upper front perspective view showing the upper and lowersections of the fermentation basket uncoupled;

FIG. 16A is an upper perspective view showing an alternative geometry ofthe filtration basket, in this instance having a cuboid shape to matchthat of either a cylindrical fermentation tank or a similarly shapedfermentation tank;

FIG. 16B is the same view showing the fermentation basket partiallyinserted (lowered) into a cylindrical fermentation tank;

FIG. 17 is a side view in elevation of an alternative embodiment of theinventive filtration basket, showing legs installed on the bottom so asto support the basket within a fermentation tank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3C, there is shown a fermentation tank 10supported on a base 12 comprising a plurality of vertically disposedlegs 14. The tank includes a floor 16, preferably a sealed sloping floorwhich directs fluid content downwardly toward a drain 18 at the front ofthe tank, as is well-known in the art. The base may be surrounded by arim 20 of the sloping floor.

FIGS. 1 and 3B show the tank and fermentation basket 50 without the tankwall included, while FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3C are views including the tankwall (or wrapper) 22. Near the lower edge 24 of the wall 22 is aselectively sealed manway 26 providing for access to the tank interior.The manway cover is coupled to a bracket (or swing arm) and an open-toeclamping assembly with a swing bolt that pivots out of the open toe ofthe bracket to release the seal on the manway cover and permit it to beopened, all in a manner well known in the art.

In an embodiment, the upper edge 28 of the tank wall 22 may include acircumferential rim 30, angled outwardly. Interiorly, a circumferentialangle 32 is welded to the interior side 34 wall of the tank wrapper.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-3B, and now also referring to next to FIGS.4-6, it is seen that the fermentation basket 50 includes a perforatedcylindrical wall 52 and a perforated bottom side 54. A thermowell 56 isconfigured in a lower portion of the basket wall to accommodate liquidsensors S for testing wine during production. Near its upper edge 58 isa circumferential angle or rim 60 which is supported by interiorcircumferential angle 32 on the tank wall. A plurality of evenly spacedlifting tabs 62 welded to or integral with the fermentation basket upperangle 60 enables a wine producer to lift and entirely remove the basketfrom the tank during racking. Solids of any size exceeding theperforation size will thereby be removed from the remaining juice/wine.

In another embodiment, and referring now to FIGS. 7-15, the fermentationbasket 100 includes a 12 gauge stainless steel upper cylindrical section102 and a heavier 7 gauge stainless steel lower cylindrical section 104,the former having circumferential apertures 106, preferably perforationsor holes and the latter having circumferential vertical slots 108. In anembodiment, the upper section is approximately 20 inches in height,while the lower section is 42 inches in height. The sections have amatching outer diameter, which in an embodiment is 67 inches.

FIGS. 12-13 show that circumferentially surrounding a lower portion 110of the upper section 102 extending to its lower edge 112 is an uppersection coupling flange 114 comprising square bar having a male tongue116 which matingly inserts into a complementary groove 118 disposed in alower section coupling flange 120 comprising rolled steel barcircumferentially surrounding an upper portion 122 of the lower section104 up to its upper edge 124. When the upper basket section is placedatop the lower section so that the flanges are matingly joined, anannular stainless steel U-channel coupling ring 126 with a toggle clamp128 is placed around the flanges and employed to secure the couple andenable lifting, forklift transport, and suspension in a fermentationtank.

The lower section 104 includes upper and lower pairs of fork pockets130, 132, on opposing sides of the basket for handling by a forklift.The fork pockets are generally rectangular or square in cross section,approximately 6 inches in height and 18 inches in length, and formedfrom ⅜ inch steel plate. For structural integrity, the areas of thelower section of the basket under and bordering the fork pockets lackany kind of opening (holes, slots, perforations, etc.) that would weakenthe basket such that it would not bear the anticipated loads when liftedby a forklift.

Welded to the lower section is a basket floor 134, matching the sheetmetal thickness of the lower section, and having slots 146 generallyconforming in size and configured similarly to those on the bottomsection. On the underside 148 of the basket floor, a plurality of ½ inchsteel tubes 150 are radially arrayed to form a standoff platform forplacement on a floor or in a drain pan.

On the upper edge of the basket, capping the upper section, is acircumferentially disposed rolled steel square bar 152 and a pluralityof evenly-spaced hanging hooks 154. The hanging hooks are employed tosuspend the fermentation basket in a tank by lowering the basket into atank 180 having spaced hanging brackets 182 disposed on the interiorside 184 of the tank wall 186. The hanging hooks are formed from steelplate, preferably at least ¾ inch in thickness, and include a downwardlycurving outboard end 156, the curvature providing a channel 158. Thehanging brackets are welded to the exterior side 160 of the uppersection 102 with a stainless steel backup pad 162 disposed between thehanging hook exterior side of the basket. Each hanging bracket includestwo spaced-apart projections 188 a, 188 b, having a hanging rod 190extending between the projections. The rod fits into the hanging hookchannel 158.

Referring next to FIGS. 7-8C, it can be seen that the fermentationbasket includes connecting holes 164 for attaching a cable or chain 166for use with a lift or crane to lower the fermentation basket into atank and to remove it thereafter. When so removed, particularly whenremoved from an active fermentation tank, the fermentation basket may beplaced onto and stored on well-known type of basket drain pan 200 [seeFIG. 14, prior art]. The pan includes a base 202 with fork pockets 204on the underside 206. The base upper side 208 is concave to form a sinkwith a drain hole 210 in the center. The drain hole drains out the sideof the pan at a drain outlet 212. A perimeter skirt 214 contains fluidsfor draining. A large plastic or nylon insert 216 provides a flatplatform on which the fermentation basket rests.

FIG. 15 shows how the upper portion 102 and lower portion 104 may beseparated for cellar operations, including pressing off juice remainingin grape pomace or sediment. The lower portion is transported to a screwpress, and pressing takes place directly in the fermentation basket,with no need to transfer solids from the fermentation basked into aseparate press container.

FIGS. 16A-16B show an alternative embodiment 300 of the fermentationbasket of the present invention. In these views there is shown agenerally cuboid (i.e., having a generally square or rectangular opentop, closed bottom, and square or rectangular sides).

As in the cylindrical iterations of the inventive fermentation basket,this embodiment 300 is preferably fabricated from stainless steel andincludes a generally singular cuboid body 302 and includes rows andcolumns of apertures 304, on each of its four vertical walls or sides306, 308, 310, 312, as well as on its bottom side 314. The apertures maybe holes, slots, or rectangular or square openings.

FIGS. 16A-16B show that the upper rim 316 of the body 302 includes acircumferential or perimeter flange 318 comprising four equally sizedcircle segments 320, 322, 324, 326, which may be welded normal to thesides or may comprise bends in each of the sides. The segments form acontinuous annular edge 328. When the filtration basket is lowered intoa fermentation tank (e.g., a cylindrical tank 400), the flange restsatop the upper rim 402 of the fermentation tank or an interior flange orrim to support the basket in the tank such that the bottom side of thefiltration basket is suspended above the bottom of the fermentationtank. The segments also provide structure under which the forks of aforklift may be disposed for hoisting the filtration basket out of thefermentation tank. Upper and lower structural ribs 330, 332 disposed onthe basket sides prevent bowing of the walls under interior loads.

In still another embodiment, shown in FIG. 17, the fermentation basket500 includes tubular pipe legs 502 which support the basket within afermentation tank so as to space the floor 504 of the basket from thefloor of the tank. This configuration is adapted for use in tanks withsloped/flat bottoms as well as conical bottoms. When used on sloped tankfloors or conical tank floors, the end 506 of each leg, or feet disposedthereon, can be coped or angled to match the slope of the tank floor.Additionally, the legs can be provided with pivotally connected footpads that will simply pivot onto the floor surface. In this finalembodiment, support structure for hanging the fermentation basket mayalso include hanging hooks and hanging brackets as described above inconnection with other embodiments.

The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill inthe art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode ofpracticing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. Whilethere is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferredembodiments of this invention, it is not desired to limit the inventionto the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operationshown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions,changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the artand may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spiritand scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternativematerials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms,functions, operational features or the like.

Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not beconstrued as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined bythe claims set out herein.

What is claimed as invention is:
 1. A fermentation basket for suspensionin a fermentation tank during wine fermentation, comprising: aperforated bottom side; at least one perforated vertical side; an opentop side having an upper edge with a circumference or perimeter; cableor chain connecting elements disposed around said upper edge forconnecting a hoist cable or chain to hoist said filtration basket; andhanging structure disposed around said upper edge for suspending saidfiltration basket in the interior of a fermentation tank such that saidbottom side is spaced apart from the bottom of the fermentation tank. 2.The fermentation basket of claim 1., wherein said at least oneperforated vertical side is a continuous cylindrical wall.
 3. Thefermentation basket of claim 1, wherein said lifting structure comprisesevenly spaced lifting tabs.
 4. The fermentation basket of claim 1,wherein said fermentation basket includes an upper section and a lowersection.
 5. The fermentation basket of claim 4, wherein said uppersection is cylindrical and is fabricated from heavy gauge stainlesssteel, and said lower section is cylindrical and fabricated from aheavier gauge stainless steel than said upper section.
 6. Thefermentation basket of claim 5, wherein said upper and lower sectionshave a closely matching outer diameter.
 7. The fermentation basket ofclaim 5, wherein said upper and lower sections each include couplingstructure for joining said upper and lower sections.
 8. The fermentationbasket of claim 7, wherein said coupling structure comprises acircumferentially surrounding flange on a lower edge of said uppersection and a circumferentially surrounding flange on an upper edge ofsaid lower section, said flanges approximated and joined with a clampedcoupling ring.
 9. The fermentation basket of claim 8, further includingopposing pairs of forklift fork pockets on said lower section.
 10. Thefermentation basket of claim 5, further including opposing pairs offorklift fork pockets on said lower section.
 11. The fermentation basketof claim 1, further including a standoff platform disposed on saidbottom side.
 12. The fermentation basket of claim 11, wherein saidstandoff platform comprises a plurality of radially arrayed tubes. 13.The fermentation basket of claim 1, wherein said hanging structureincludes a plurality of hanging hooks disposed around said upper edge ofsaid fermentation basket.
 14. The fermentation basket of claim 1,further including a plurality of connecting holes for attaching a cableor chain for use with a lift or crane to lift and lower the fermentationbasket.
 15. The fermentation basket of claim 1, wherein said at leastone perforated side includes four contiguous sides forming acuboid-shaped basket.
 16. The fermentation basket of claim 15, whereinsaid hanging structure comprises four equally sized circle segments, oneeach extending generally normal to one of said vertical sides.
 17. Thefermentation basket of claim 16, wherein said circle segments are weldednormal to said sides.
 18. The fermentation basket of claim 16, whereinsaid circle segments comprise Tends in each of said vertical sides. 19.The fermentation basked of claim 16, wherein said circle segments form acontinuous annular edge.